Group Application Development Manager

DFS; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retail group in Doncaster is seeking an experienced Software Development Manager. The role involves leading a team to deliver high-quality software solutions, contributing to strategy, and ensuring compliance with best practices. Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years of management experience in a retail software environment and a degree in a related field. The company offers a hybrid work model along with generous benefits including discounts and a potential annual bonus.

Benefits

Potential Annual Bonus Scheme

Growth and Training

30% employee discount

Access to healthcare services

Group Pension and Sharesave schemes

Qualifications

• 3-5 years management experience in a Software environment within a retail organisation.
• Proven track record of delivering outcomes and leading teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and line management for the Group Software Development team.
• Contribute to the Group Software Development & Test strategy and deliver team objectives.
• Manage incoming development requests and queries, ensuring high standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Conflict Resolution

People Management

Education

Degree in Computing/IT or related field

Job description

Job Type: Permanent Job Sector: Management Region: Yorkshire Location: Doncaster Salary Description: Competitive salary based on skills and experience Posted: 13/11/2025 Recruiter: DFS Job Ref: dfs/TP/113835/2990 Job Views: 1

This is a hybrid role based at our Doncaster Group Support Centre, with 2-3 days a week onsite. Our Application Development Team works closely with the Test Team and plays a vital role in delivering high-quality software solutions across the DFS Group supporting projects, resolving bugs, and managing business-as-usual enhancements, driving innovation and maintaining system excellence. In this role, you’ll manage incoming development requests and queries from across the Group, ensuring work is prioritised effectively and delivered to a high standard. You’ll also champion best practice and compliance with key frameworks and processes including software development methodologies, coding standards, security compliance, and change management.

About DFS

We’re home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company - three distinctive brands with a shared mission to bring great design and comfort into every home, affordably, responsibly, and sustainably. At DFS Group, everyone plays a part. Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, you’re helping shape the future of furniture retail. Each brand has its own identity and creative direction, but we’re united by a culture that puts people and purpose at the heart of everything we do.

Everyone Welcome

Across our Group, we're committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from supporting Doncaster Pride and introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. So, if your experience doesn't quite match the specification, we'd still really love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you’ll:

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and line management for the Group Software Development team.
• Contribute to the Group Software Development & Test strategy and drive the delivery of the team’s road map and objectives.
• Serve as the first point of contact within the business for all software development matters.
• Ensure software development policies and procedures are up-to-date, compliant, and aligned with industry best practices.
• Oversee the delivery of all work including project initiatives, bug fixes, and the BAU development backlog — ensuring high quality and timely completion.
• Implement KPIs and reporting to monitor team performance, workload, and support effective performance management.
• Lead change initiatives, simplifying processes and improving routes into the team to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Build and maintain strong cross-team relationships to create opportunities and overcome challenges benefiting the wider department.
• Drive team development, including coaching, long-term training plans, and addressing skills gaps.
• Plan and manage sprints: oversee backlogs, sprint planning and reviews.
• Manage third-party relationships: ensure service levels are met and attend service reviews as needed.
• Standardise ways of working: define consistent processes, reporting, and delivery across the business.
• Monitor and maintain quality: track working standards, identify issues, and implement improvements.
• Maintain the knowledge base: keep software development documentation up-to-date.
• Resource management: monitor availability, capacity, and skills gaps to meet operational demand and SLAs.
• Team development: provide coaching, training, and cross-skilling to improve responsiveness, retention, and succession planning.
• Risk management: identify, mitigate, and manage risks across the function and business.
• Foster continuous improvement: drive problem‑solving, efficiency, and a culture of innovation.
• Remote team management: effectively lead and support remote team members.

The role is for you if...

We’re looking for experience in:

• Leadership & Strategic Responsibilities
• Strategic and Team Leadership: provide clear direction, inspire performance, and drive results across the team.
• Integrity and Ownership: uphold the highest professional standards, take ownership of challenges, and proactively resolve issues.
• Resilience and Results: navigate adversity, manage challenging situations, and deliver outcomes with commitment and focus.
• Relationship Management: communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, manage demand, incidents, changes, and strategic initiatives.
• Conflict Resolution: handle complaints, settle disputes, and negotiate to achieve positive outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: build strong internal and external relationships, including suppliers and partners, to support IT and business objectives.
• Decision Making: prioritise effectively based on risk, impact, and urgency; break up complex problems; make timely, sound decisions to resolve issues.
• People Management & Development: coach, mentor, and develop team members; recruit the right talent; set clear objectives and drive high‑performing, customer‑focused teams.
• Team Leadership: build trust, respect, and collaboration across teams; create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• IT Asset & Cost Management: strong understanding of managing assets and controlling costs in an IT environment.
• Proactive & Results‑Oriented: self‑starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven Track Record: demonstrated success in delivering outcomes and leading teams effectively.

Experience / Qualifications

• Management of teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• 3-5yrs management experience in a Software environment within a retail organisation.
• Degree (or equivalent) in Computing/IT or a related field, or have equivalent IT industry experience.
• Budget control / cost management.
• Significant experience of formal risk & workload management within defined processes and frameworks.
• Self starter can work under own initiative.

DFS Benefits

• Potential Annual Bonus Scheme: Contribute to our success and get rewarded for it.
• Growth and Training: Learn new skills and develop your career with us.
• Leave: Enjoy a great holiday allowance, with the option to buy 5 extra days. Take advantage of our enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, and Adoption, plus a paid volunteering day each year.
• Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family - and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA.
• Wellbeing Perks: Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
• Pension and Savings: Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.
• Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.